is growing… its breathing…it has become a living thing.
Its own unique breed of social networking, Intsagram has become kind of important & often times is the quickest way to spot minute to minute fashion, art & culture all over the world.
I am obsessed with it.
Simply & truly obsessed.
This darling little Iphone application never fails to get my creative wheels a turnin’ & even serves as a special portal into the exploration of a completely unknown world.
Here is a list of my top eight favorite Instagramers of the moment & a slide show of some of their fabulous works
This brand new website is offering a service that has been unheard of to date: the altering and customization of garments to fit the shoppers individual taste and shape (you only have to input your measurements once !).
Based on personality, style, proportions and need, one can search from Zoora’s hand-picked list of fabulous designers.
Once a piece is selected, the shopper can add all sorts of personalization…whether it be the shortening of a hemline, a different sleeve length, the addition of a hood, altering the color or all of the above. (Most items range between $100-$400)
We can now create clothing that makes us each feel comfortable and flattered while expressing our own true unique style
1. List 3 words that describe who you are as a person:Alabama Wild Child… that can be used as a phrase… or 3 separate words.
2. From what sources do you draw your inspiration ?
Magazines, nature, 60s and 70s motorcycle culture/fashion, hand written letters, historic architecture, my peers, color, museums, Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights movement, medical history, cutlasses… Everyday life. It can be found in anything and also unexpectedly, but I can usually count on the things listed above.
3. How did you wind up in the Antique/Television industry? I am one of the managers at Antique Archaeology which is owned by Mike Wolfe, who is on History Channel’s show “American Pickers”. I have worked in stores pretty much my whole life, starting with “Lauren’s Pumpkin Patch” which was my pumpkin stand in the parking lot of my dad’s store on Hwy. 72 in Alabama. So here I am, 20 years later, with lots of shop girl experience… along with my degree where I studied Anthropology and Historic Preservation to boot. If you’ve ever been in the store, you could see why it’s a great perfect match for me. My current gig is pretty fitting right now… old stuff and new people. Something I’m always into. I’ve been filming for the show as well. You will be seeing us on some of the new episodes which will be airing in January.
4. List some current obsessions: In no particular order… Sons of Anarchy, Bell bottoms, Libraries & Interlibrary Loans, Hair Dye, Glitter nails, The Selvedge Yard Blog, leather, muscle cars, 60s and 70s motorcycles (and their advertisements), old memorial photography and jewelry. I love writing letters and sending packages. I just mailed my cousin who is in Greece now a care package a few weeks ago. It made me feel so excited and exotic. Surprisingly, I have REALLY loved the Tommy Hilfiger ads in the past year or so. He’s bringing a sort-of dreamy, country club/Royal Tennenbaum look in the mix. A little more applicable to everyday and less runway, if that’s your thing.
5. describe your aesthetic in one sentence : I kind of feel like I’ve dressed the same for quite some time now. I like to switch up my staple, statement pieces to make sure I don’t look like I’m wearing the same thing every single day… which I still sometimes feel like. It’s fun to bring one major, bold piece in rotation because it can really switch things up. This season I’m wearing a green velvet Elie Tahari blazer with just boots, jeans, and rock and roll tees, a look I love.
6. what is the weirdest thing a stranger has ever said to you? One time this waiter at Olive Garden asked what I’d been up to that day… which I replied, “Shopping.” Then he asked if I had been shopping at “The Indian store”. I must’ve had a lot of leather and fringe on that day.
7. Name a Book a Movie and a Band that has challenged you creatively:
Book: The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan… I don’t know why but most of his stuff has really resonated with me in lots of ways. I’ve been into him for over 10 years now. I received 2 letters from him before he died on beautiful stationary which I find pretty awesome.
Movie:Virgin Suicides… This movie came out when I was in high school and a friend and I drove 2 hours, to Nashville actually, to see it. I still find it one of the coolest, dreamiest, dreariest movies around. I still love it and each time I watch it, I feel like it’s as cool as the first time.
Band:Britney Spears... For real. I think she’s so great and I am really beginning to learn her moves. Before YouTube, a friend gave me her DVD of all of music videos and it was one of the best gifts ever! I’ve always thought of Britney (yes, we’re on an imaginary first name basis) as being like someone who I grew up with making it big.
9. Describe your dream project…who would you be working with, what would you be doing, what’s the theme, where would you be: My all-time dream project, or experience rather, would to be explore Europe’s architectural wonders and also museums, with a private guide and no time frame. I’d have some person (who this is, I don’t know…) show me all the grand buildings, castles, alley ways, palaces, fountains, grave yards, tunnels, and paintings with an attention-span friendly explanation. I just feel like there’s a lot to see and experience abroad but I’m too wussy to go by myself. Travel partner anyone?
10. What is the most imoportant thing life has taught you thus far? Rarely ANYTHING you worry about happens. I know this, but don’t always apply it and “Focus on the good times”- Tony Soprano
11. If you had to trade lives with any celebrity dead or alive, who would you be? I’ve always been an Andy Warhol enthusiast. I think it’s pretty amazing that he created a social scene based on his celebrity obsessions WITH the celebrities he was obsessed with. That’s pretty incredible for the little kid of immigrant parents from Pittsburgh. He IS pop culture and mass media. I loved how dabbled in many different art forms… writing, film, commercial art. His take on things seem to be pretty quirky and spot on. I still don’t know if I’d want to trade lives though with him. …Candy Spelling might’ve been a more fitting answer for this. Next!
12. What is your ultimate artistic goal? Wow… I have a few… I’m still writing my pop album which has been in pre-production for like 3 years with Muscle Shoals record producer Lynn Bridges. I still haven’t learned to sew on a machine, although I worked for a world renowned tailor and costume designer for 4 years (Manuel). I’m constantly thinking of new things I want to learn how to do, then I do it. Then it’s on to the next. I’m good at kinda knowing how to do a lot of things.
13. make up a question and answer it: What’s your favorite food? THAI THAI THAI… or is it Mexican? Cheeseburgers?
Renae's Magical and Mysterious Closet- A Jeffery Campbell, Betsy Johnson & Vintage Aztec Laced Treasure Trove
List 3 words that describe who you are as a person:genuine, intuitive, intelligent
From what sources do you draw your inspiration ? music, pop culture, weird fashion mags, nature’s color palettes and textures, girls (not the band….real girls and how they put things together) unexpected combinations.
How did you wind up in the “Beauty” industry?just following my lifelong obsessions.
Describe your aesthetic in one sentence: My aesthetic is 3 parts Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, 1 part southern charm, 2 parts indie girl band, and a side of vintage with a dash of Aztec. This translates into pretty much my entire life…work, home, and wardrobe.
What is the weirdest thing a stranger has ever said to you?You must be from London….or do you work for a magician? (in the ACE Hotel NYC elevator)
Name a Book, Movie and Band that has challenged you (creatively):If You Have to Cry Go Outside by Kelly Cutrone…challenges me to be my best at work and life. Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette has challenged me to create the movie’s aesthetic in my surroundings. The Rolling Stones – their sound, look, and swagger inspire me to tone down the frilly feminine stuff and insert sexy, rock ‘n roll coolness.
Name the Best and Worst all time trend or craze: Best : pastel hair….it works for everyone from middle schoolers to 80 year olds and it is rad. Worst: chunky, stripy hair color a’la the 90’s
Describe your dream project…who would you be working with, what would you be doing, what’s the theme, where would you be: My dream project would be for Zink magazine, working with their production team to create a high fashion layout that is inspired by the aurora borealis ( Northern Lights) I would be creating the hair and makeup looks and we would have to shoot in Scandinavia, or somewhere where we could capture the Northern Lights as part of the project.
What is the most important thing life has taught you thus far? LISTEN to your intuition!
If you had to trade lives with any celebrity dead or alive, who would you be?AHHH…tough one! Either Juliette Lewis or Betsey Johnson.
What is your ultimate artistic goal?To inspire others in my industry and create new energy and ideas that really change the game.
Be still my spellbound soul,
Name the Best and Worst all time trend or craze: 
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